02-07-2025
Knightswood school recognised by Scottish Book Trust
Bankhead Primary School in Knightswood has earned the Silver Reading Schools Award from the Scottish Book Trust.
The accolade recognises the school's efforts to promote reading amongst pupils, staff, and the wider community.
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To celebrate the achievement, the school hosted a Silver Storytelling Breakfast Bash in its final week of term.
Parents and carers were invited to join pupils and staff for a morning of traditional storytelling, beginning with breakfast, followed by a special session led by Scottish storyteller Gerry Durkin.
The award reflects a broad effort to embed reading into daily life, both within the school and beyond.
Pupils have participated in author visits, including a massive poetry lesson with Laura Murcha as part of a successful Guinness World Record attempt.
The school has also developed strong ties with the community, inviting dentists, opticians, engineers, and business professionals to participate in career-themed literacy sessions.
Pupils have taken reading into the wider community by sharing stories with residents at a care home, as well as the local fire station, community centre, and secondary school.
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(Image: Supplied) Bankhead Primary has also launched a Reading Ambassadors programme to give pupils a voice in promoting reading.
Teachers have integrated reading across the curriculum through paired reading, class novel studies, and regular author-focused activities.
Staff have also undertaken professional development to better understand the impact of reading for pleasure on wellbeing and attainment.
In addition, the school has supported pupils with library sessions during the summer holidays.
Katie Gourlay, literacy lead at Bankhead Primary, said: "We are absolutely thrilled to receive the Silver Reading Schools Award.
"It is a testament to the hard work of our pupils, staff, and families in making reading a valued and inspiring part of our school culture.
"Events like our author visits and community reading sessions really bring that to life, raising the profile of reading in the school and wider community."
The Reading Schools programme, run by the Scottish Book Trust and supported by the Scottish Government, aims to foster a lifelong love of reading in young people.
Bankhead Primary now has its sights set on achieving Gold accreditation as it continues to nurture a passion for reading in every child.
